Horn button



June 24, 1930. DENYES 1,768,513

HORN BUTTON Filed Oc t. 29, 1927 14 m, a r I 2;?

Patented June 24, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY M. DENYES, OFSAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS CORPO- RATION, OF DETROIT,MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE HORN BUTTON.

Application filed October 29, 1927. Serial No. 229,670.

This invention relates to an electric switch and more particularly aswitch of the push button type for use on the steering wheel of anautomotive vehicle.

6 It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved switchmechanism for a steering wheel which is simple in construction andcomprises a minimum number of parts. It is a further object of theinvention to provide a switch mechanism in which the parts are heldfirmly in position so that no rattle will occur.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the courseof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing and appended claims In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a steering wheel with partsbroken away showing in section my improved switch mechanism mountedthereon.

Figure 2 is an ex loded view of the principal parts of the switchmechanism.

In the drawing I have illustrated a portion of a tubular steering shaft10 at the upper end of which is mounted the steering wheel 12 providedon its upper side with a recess 13. The steering wheel 12 is held on theshaft 10 by means of a nut 14 threaded onto the shaft 10 and bearingagainst a washer 15 on the bottom of the recess 13.

Supported on the nut 14 is the switch mechanism comprising an insulatingplug 16 provided with an outer frusto-conical surface.

The plug 16 has a small central opening extending axially of thesteering wheel and is annularly recessed on its upper and lower sides asillustrated. The plug is partially covered by a grounding cap 18provided on its lower edge with tabs 19 which are turned inward forholding the cap 18 on the insulating plug, the tabs 19 contacting withthe upper surface of the nut 14. The cap 18 fits the outer surface ofplug 16 and is formed with its upper part spaced from the upper part ofthe insulating plug by means of a spacing washer 20 and extendedradially inward above the spacing washer 20 and provided with a centralaperture 21. The washer 20 is of any usual insulating material.

Extending through the central opening in the insulting plug is a hollowmetallic nipple 22, the upper end of which is spread outward andsecurely held'in place between the upper side of the insulating plug anda metallic disc 28 pressed downward by the insulating washer 20. A smallaperture 26 is provided in the side of the nipple 22 for admittance of adrop of solder for fixing the upper stripped end of an insulated wire 24firmly within the nipple. The insulating plug and associated parts areheld firmly on the nut 14 by means of a cover plate 32 which iscountersunk into the upper portion of the recess 13 where it is held inplace by screws 34 extending therethrough and into the steering wheel.

The cover plate 32 is formed with a central opening surrounded by anupwardly extending annular flange 36. From the central opening downwardthe inner surface of the cover plate 32 is inclined outward, providing afrusto-conical surface fitting snugly over the similarly shaped outersurface of the cap 18 surrounding the insulating plug 16.

Arranged over the central opening is the depressible switch member whichcomprises a button 40 molded from any suitable material and providedwith an outer downward extending flange 42 on the outside of the flange36 of the cover plate 32. The button has a shank which comprises acentral hollow metallic stem 44 extending downward through the centralaperture 21 in the cover sheet 18 and a surrounding metallic spacingwasher 46. The stem 44 is spread outward at its lower end to hold thewasher 46 thereon for contacting with the under side of the groundingcap 18 and for preventing removal of the button and its stem 44 andspacing washer 46. A compressed coil spring 48 surrounds the stembetween the button 40 and the cap 18 and constantly urges the buttonupward.

With this construction it is noted that the lower end of the stem 44 andthe spacing washer 46 is normally held spaced from the contact disk 28by the coil spring 48, and said contact disc 28 forming the terminal ofwire 24 is insulated from contact with the metallic parts of thevehicle. When button 40 is pressed downward, until the lower end of thespacing washer 46 is forced into contact with the metallic disk 28, anelectrical connection is established through the spacing washer 46 andcap 18 with the nut 14 and steering shaft- 10 and hence the metallicframe work of the car. The circuit is thus grounded and the signalcaused to operate. lVhen the pressure on the button is released, thespring 48 causes the button to return to its raised position, thusdisconnecting the circuit.

I claim:

1. In combination, a steering wheel, an insulating base on said wheel, ahorn wire contact on said base, a conductor shell enveloping said base,a contact button held in place by said shell, and a plate clamping saidshell to said wheel.

2. In combination, a steering wheel, an insulating base on said wheel, ahorn wire contact on said base, a conductor shell enveloping said base,a button having a contact shank extending through said shell andretaining said button thereon, a spring between said shell and saidbutton and a cover plate encircling said shell and secured to saidwheel.

3. In combination, a steering column, a wheel secured at the upper endof said column, an insulating base on said column, a terminal contact insaid base, a conductor shell enclosing said base and contacting withsaid column, a contact button resiliently supported on said shell and acover plate around said shell and secured to said Wheel and clampingsaid shell and base on the upper end of said column.

4. A horn button assembly for a steering wheel or the like comprising aninsulating base, a horn wire contact on said base, an envelopingconductor shell clamped over said base, and a button carried by saidshell and dcpressihle therethrough against said horn wire contact.

In testimony whereoi I afiix my signature.

HARRY M. DENYES.

